Omaha daily bee., 1887-12-12
NEWS OF The DAY OF REST.
Sunday Happenings In the Bluffs
Streaked With Piety.
THE GREAT SIN OF THE AGE
Rev. Mr.. Mackcy Thinks Il Is Extra.
vagencc-The D.,,ny IN Electric
placed Conn.
denCe-Scarlet Fever.
The Sin OcThc Age,

The Sin Of The Age.
An intensely practical discourse was de-
livcred by Rev. Mr.. Alackey yesterday morn
ing. "As people we are eXtravagant,' said
he and thus furnished the subject of his SER
mon. "Therc being no limit to the ambition
OF the poorest citizen of the country there is
a constant tendency among all classes to imi-
tate the folies and fashions of those above
them, and in country like this, where the
workngman of to-day may be the master to-
morrow, we must wonder that there exists
such spirit of emulation among all grades
of society from the lowest to the highest.
In fact, many are proud of their extrava-
gance and make an ostcntatious display of
their wealth as if such display was Il virtue,
not fault. We are apt to dcspise the
brother in the parable of the prodigal son
who remained at home. a quiet steady, plod-
ding young man who never had even a kid
killed that he might make merry with his
out to. the prodigal who spent
so. quickly his inheritance in
sensuality and riotous living and who, when
driven by actual starvation, at last repents
and returns to his fathers home. Our pity
is misplaced, and IA stern judgment of the
prodigal's course anti its consequences
would prove wonderfully invigorating in
these days of laXity and indifference to the
sterner duties Of life. What we spend is
justly our own. no doubt, and we lay our
selves open to no indictment Of the law by
our extravaganza, but we are morally re-
sponsible for our action and justly entitled to
receive condemnation. 1t can be shown. in
fact is apparent. that extravaganza is at the
bottom of many of the bankruptcies. of the
falls from positions of trust and honor and is
the cause of much of the gcntccl poverty that
exists to-day. Surely that which causes so
much unhapplncSS is most Diult;iv ,,nGni-
mated sim
No sooner does man become successful in
business, no sooner does a speculation or
venture put him in possession of II
begins to use it as a means
for climbing higher in the social scale, which,
in this western country, is typitied by ladder
each rung of which is a gradual ascending
scale of dollars and cents. The old home in
which the family lived so many years is sud
denly discovered to be too small and in an
undesirable neighborhood; the list of calling
acquaintance too limited, so banquets and
small dinners are given to strengthen their
position on the ladder A close scrutiny of
the occupants of the same rung of the ladder
is made to ascertain the necessary accOmpani-
ments OF that social height, and art and cul-
ture are called in, unwilling and unknown
guests, to help on the fond illusion that they
are at least i'll the region where they can look
down with compaccncy and pride upon the
omy and thrift or by lucky turn of the
wheel of fortune. And the wheel
goes round and round, increased cX-
penscS eating rapidly into the in
creased income until at last the newt
able result stares them in the face, bank
ruptcy. And even now they could be saved
by an acknowledgement of their false posi-
tion and by retrcnchment: but pride forbids
Debts care incurred and means of all kinds
are resortcd to to stave off the evil day, but
it comes at last. This covers all classes of
business, all over the land, sea side resorts,
cities, country, communities, etc. The mer-
chant. the professional man, the mechanic.
the farmer, all are whipped with the same
lash. and to keep up with their sets they
build upon "A future which never comes except
to mcte out to them the legitimate results of
their folly.n
The speaker referred at length to the ex-
travagances young men indulge in, in order
to keep up appearances. Young ladies came
in for wholesome advice in allowing such
things to be done even "for their dear
sakcs." The display in dress indulged in
by our young women has kept
many hardworking parent poor to crafty
such foolish ambitions; has kept many
young husbands nose on the grindstone after
marriage: has hindered mahy an honest man
from asking her hand in marriage" Seal
skin sacqucs, diamond ,jewelry and other
needless luxures receive Il liberal atten-
tion. The display of things in churches was
characterized as unchristian, and made abor-
tive all the purposes of worship and even
worship itself.
"NO one is morally right in spending need
lessly upon himself when so many avenues
are open to him in which to relieve the dis
tresscd, the suffering and the needy. Honest
and misfortunatc poverty has a claim upon
the wealth of the world and God will require
at our hand strict account of the use of
these talents"